From: Epineuil, Burgundy, France
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Tasting Notes: Aromas of strawberry, pomegranate, blackberry, and sour cherry jump from the glass, against a backdrop of subtle forest floor. This is a vibrant, high-toned Bourgogne Rouge from a warmer vintage where this is a true achievement. The palate brings a fine-grained texture, a hint of floral lift, and a nice minerality that begins in the mid-palate and persists on the finish.
Pairing: The balance of pretty fruit, taught acidity, and fine-grained texture in this wine makes it a versatile bottle for pairing. For something simple yet satisfying, pair it with a charcuterie and cheese spread—here you have lots of options, but we recommend leaning into soft, washed-rind cheeses like Brie or Delice de Bourgogne and something like the pork rillettes from the Beast and Cleaver. You could also lean into classic pairings like roasted chicken, any type of creamy mushroom-based dish, or Magret de Canard (duck breast). A classic potato gratin would be amazing, but for something slightly more vegetable-packed, we’re sharing Alison Roman’s recipe for Cauliflower Gratin With Leeks and White Cheddar.
About. Dampt Frères operates in the heart of two magnificent wine-growing areas: Chablis and the Tonnerrois. Bernard Dampt came from a humble family of farmers that had been growing grapes in the area for generations, and he started buying and planting vineyards in 1980 to ensure that he’d have something to leave his three sons to continue the family tradition. In 1998, Bernard’s wish came true: he retired and handed the reins over to his children. Today, his sons, Eric, Emmanuel and Hervé each own a third of these vineyards. They work together to craft over 30 wines, ranging from Grand Cru Chablis to Bourgogne.
The brothers have been implementing a supervised control regime (lutte raisonnée) for more than twenty years, combining traditional and modern practices to produce wines with the special character of their terroir year after year. Since 2019, all Dampt vineyards have received HVE Certification (Haute Valeur Environnementale or High Environmental Value) from the French Ministry of Agriculture. This three-tiered system is a sustainability initiative that encourages farms and vineyards to increase biodiversity, decrease the negative environmental impact of their pesticide/herbicide use, manage their fertilizer inputs and improve their water management. Once an estate completes each of the three, increasingly stringent tiers, they are awarded certification.
